news-record.com

GREENSBORO - There are some nights when Isabell Moore has more social justice events on her calendar than she could possibly attend. But she considers that a good problem to have.

Racial injustices and the fight for equal rights among gays are just some of the issues that concern Moore. After attending college in New York, she could have remained there and tackled them. But she decided to return to Greensboro.

"Because we're in a smaller town, we can really make a difference here," said Moore, a UNCG graduate student.

Moore joined others like her Sunday night at the Peace and Justice Network's annual potluck dinner at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Participants were concerned about issues including the environment and fair housing. But they didn't view themselves as having individual interests.

"I don't feel like we do represent special interests. I feel like we represent what's basic in life," said Kim Yarbray, fundraising chairwoman with the Sierra Club.

The dinner brought together representatives from various organizations to share ideas about two common goals: peace and justice. The Peace and Justice Network includes about 50 organizations. Brian Goldberg, chairman of the network's planning committee, said this potluck was the largest in its nine-year history.

"It's grown each year," Goldberg said.

Cheryl Bridges, a vocational counselor at Guilford College and a Quaker pastor, told the group that to obtain peace and justice throughout the world, they must first tackle it at home. What Bridges called personal justice - treating each other with kindness and respect on a daily basis - requires no magic potion. "It just takes doing it," she said.

Bridges also told participants that they must recognize the ironies in their beliefs. As an example, she pointed to the recent election, where voters in California helped elect the nation's first black president but passed Proposition 8, which overturned a California Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage.

While their messages may not have reached everyone, network members say they are making strides locally.

Cathie Holcombe manned a table at the event that contained literature about Women Improving Race Relations. Its members try to break down barriers between women of different backgrounds by reading cultural literature and discussing each others' lives.

"We're getting to know each other one on one," Holcombe said.

The Peace and Justice Network hopes to expand that kind of interaction. The network plans to work on building alliances among its organizations.

"None of these organizations can do it alone. We have to have collaboration," Yarbray said.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com